The Islamic creed is unique in its scope and profoundness. It is a creed that transcends race, class and geography, and it moves the mind as much as it moves the heart. A Muslim’s attachment to this creed is independent of time, place or context. A Muslim’s belief in Islam, and its profound universality, is a matter that is proudly adhered to irrespective of prevailing conditions. The Khilafah is an extension of the Islamic creed and an essential pillar of Islam. It is for this reason that the work for Khilafah is as relevant to Muslims in the West as it is to Muslims living in the Muslim world. We all have a role to play in the re-establishment of the Khilafah, and we may even have a greater role to play after the establishment of the Khilafah. In this light, the following words of advice are offered to Muslims living in the West:
Preserving our Islamic identity
– we must be vigilant against the dilution of any aspect of our Islamic identity. The Islamic personality is unique as its basis is the Islamic creed (Islamic Aqeedah). It is the Islamic creed that defines for us our viewpoints about life, our objectives in life and the manner in which we engage in this life. It would be an immense loss for humanity if we accepted the erosion of our Islamic identities, for the implications would be to deprive humanity of a unique (and correct) set of outlooks that form the basis of the noblest of human interactions.
Resisting assimilation efforts
– assimilation policies are not defined by semantics. Whether it is assimilation, integration or multiculturalism, all these policies have the express purpose of contorting our Islamic values such that it accords with Western conceptions of ‘modernity’. We must be resolute in our rejection of any attempt to restrict the manifestation of our Islamic values, and we must confidently advance the correctness of our Islamic values even if it contradicts the prevailing values systems.
We must also be vigilant against the false conflation of what are inherently two separate considerations
– values and laws. Values are personal, whereas laws are public. It is the role of government to institute laws that are equally applicable to every citizen, but it is not the role of government to usurp the thinking and values systems of its citizens.
Resisting efforts to sever our universal bonds
– there is currently a concerted campaign aimed at distancing Muslims in the West from their brethren in Muslim lands. At times the rationale is that Muslims in the West have a unique set of problems that require a unique set of solutions. Other justifications include the argument in favour of a localized version of Islam, a modern and secular version that sits comfortably within existing secular frameworks. At other times, Muslims are forcefully fed the patriotic card whose allegiances are always under suspicion. The net result of these myriad lines of rationale is the attempt by the West to develop a Western version of Islam, the purpose of which is to break the universal bonds of brotherhood that are a natural extension of the Islamic creed. Severing the bonds of brotherhood is essential if the West is to continue its deplorable history of colonial interference in the Islamic lands, without the ‘inconvenience’ of accountability at home. At the same time, the West is all too aware of the enormous challenges that would be posed by a more united Muslim populace.
Building the confidence of the Muslim community
– it is essential that Muslims understand and manifest their divine duty as guardians over mankind. But such duties cannot be discharged if the Muslim community is characterised by confusion, insolence or weakness. Every effort must be expended to instill confidence within the community, whether it is political, cultural or ideological. There is much within the community to praise, so let us all acknowledge and nurture the good whilst not neglecting the not so good.
Building the spirit of political activism
– Muslims have a unique responsibility as guardians over mankind. It is essential that the spirit of political activism is installed as one of the pillars of the Muslim community. Apathy, neglect and insolence are contrary to our Islamic requirements, and it is our responsibility to foster an environment from where the community can fulfill its role as leaders of humanity. The activism of the Muslim community must be constructed upon a unique basis that has its roots in Islam alone. The defining objectives and modus operandi must similarly be built upon the same basis. The Muslim community must stand as the epitome of strength, courage and sincerity. We cannot allow ourselves to be silenced or intimidated, nor can we allow ourselves to be distracted by trivial considerations. We are part of a global Ummah with nothing less than global aspirations.
Be the voice-eyes-ears of the Ummah globally
– If Muslims around the world are silenced under the yoke of tyranny, then we must do all that is within our capacity to further their cause. If we can speak, we should speak resolutely. If we can stand as witnesses, we should speak resolutely. If we can stand as witnesses, we should stand tall. If we can hear their cries, then we should listen attentively. We should stand as the voice of the silenced, the eyes of the blinded and the ears of the deafened.
Challenge Western imperialism at home
– the struggle before us is a universal struggle. It is a struggle that transcends race and geography. It is a struggle that is rooted in values but manifests itself in politics, economics and the military. We have a unique opportunity, and a divine obligation, as Muslims in the West to challenge the barbarity of Western interference in the Islamic lands. Whether it is political subservience, economic exploitation or military adventurism, the Muslim community is uniquely positioned to challenge Western governments, its policies, its apologists, and the values that drive them.
Ummah decided her destiny decades ago
– the Muslim Ummah commenced the tedious task of revival many decades ago. The choice before it was the curse of Communism, the crisis of Capitalism or the honour of Islam. The choice was not as simple as it may sound today, for the Ummah was at one time suffering from the depths of its backwardness and was nearing almost complete destruction. The Islamic revival we witness today are the fruits of decades of struggle. The Ummah was successful in freeing itself from the shackles of Western ideology, for the battle of hearts and minds was firmly won by the Muslim camp. But the Ummah has yet to free itself politically, economically and militarily, and it is this struggle – the struggle for Khilafah - that rages on today. Muslims in the both the East and the West must continue to champion the Islamic call that seeks to free the Muslim world from Western subservience. We must be clear about the fault lines that are integral to this struggle, and commit ourselves to assisting the cause of Islam and opposing the forces that seek to oppose Islam.
Intensity of onslaught is a sign of impending victory
– nobody fogs a dead horse! The increasing strength and determination of the Muslims, coupled with their comprehensive rejection of Western designs over Islamic lands, has forced Western governments to intensify their war against Islam in both the Muslim world and the Western world. Western agents in the Islamic lands are in a dangerously precarious situation, and it is the loss of confidence in them by their Western masters that has necessitated the direct return of the crusading armies. The intensity of the persecution directed towards the Prophet (saw) was directly correlated to the relative strength of his (saw) dawah. The greater the success, the more intense the persecution.
Ummah is strong and confident
– Contrary to popular propaganda, the Ummah is not weak, fragmented, or lacking in ability. The few chances the Ummah is afforded to articulating its concerns, massive numbers rise to make their position unambiguously clear. The conflicts in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan; the desecration of the Quran; the insults to the Prophet (saw) and much more, are testimony to the sincerity and desire of the Muslims to have their affairs directed by Islam The Ummah is not lacking in material power. Collectively, the Ummah easily possesses the greatest army and the bravest soldiers. The Ummah occupies the most strategic lands, has in its possession the lion’s share of resources, and is home to a very educated professional class. The Ummah is not lacking in ability or enthusiasm. On the contrary, it is the West and its agents in the Muslim land that direct every efort at killing this overriding confidence.
Only Muslims can rescue humanity from its misery
– Muslims possess an unshakable conviction in the correctness of their creed and the beauty of its systems. It is only Islam that can rescue humanity from the barbarity of Western colonialism and military adventurism. Muslims understand very well the desire of the world, in both the East and the West, to be rescued from the travesties of liberalism and the destructiveness of individualism. The work for Khilafah is as much about rescuing the Muslim world as it is about standing as a model of justice and mercy for the rest of the world.
Nobody can challenge the will of Allah (swt) – the ascendancy of the Muslims has already been foretold in many instances throughout the Quran and the ahadith. The emergence of the Khilafah is a case of when, not if. It is our responsibility then to hasten the victory of the Muslims by working for this task with the utmost steadfastness and sincerity. The plots of the enemies of Islam are of no hindrance, for a Muslim is unshakable in his belief that nobody can alter a matter that has already been promised by Allah (swt).
Source: Rajab Campaign Booklet 2009, Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia
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